Han family achievements

Chapter 361 Thunderstorm

Liu Bei and Zhuge Xuan sat across from each other and fell into a brief silence.

After a while, Liu Bei said: "Master Zhuge, how do you know that Cao Cao wants to do something bad to me?"

Zhu Ge

Liu Bei was startled and said, "Cao Cao also has different intentions?"

Zhuge Xuan shook his head and said: "Mr. It means swallowing up the two states of Yu and Xu."

Liu Bei was still in disbelief and said: "He, Cao Cao, has been deeply favored by the emperor. His Cao family has been favored by the emperor for several generations, how could he rebel..."

Zhuge Xuan was a little helpless and said: "Mr. Doesn’t anyone want to do it?”

Liu Bei looked at Zhuge Xuan blankly, unable to say a word.

He thought of the Yuan family, Liu Yan, and Liu Biao. Aren't all the aristocratic families and relatives of the emperor and the country with ulterior motives, and it was difficult to distinguish between loyalty and treachery?

Seeing Liu Bei's expression, Zhuge Xuan said: "Xuan Degong is devoted to the country. I know this very well, so I took the risk and came here."

Liu Bei came back to his senses, suppressed his surprise and said: "Zhuge Gong, according to your wishes, what should I do?"

Zhuge Xuan immediately sat up straight and said solemnly: "Mr. Xuande, you are the shepherd of Xuzhou. This Xuzhou must not fall into Cao Cao's hands!"

Liu Bei frowned unconsciously and thought seriously.

If he hadn't seen the killing intent in Cao Cao's eyes just now, Liu Bei would never have believed Zhuge Xuan's words.

Now, he is seventy-eight percent convinced.

The question is, how can he recapture Xuzhou?

The soldiers and horses in his hands were given by Cao Cao, and the money and food were also controlled by Cao Cao. Cao Cao held the most troops and horses to challenge Dong.

Once Dong Zhuo is destroyed, no one in Yu and Xu states can compete with Cao Cao.

"wrong!"

Liu Bei said excitedly: "There is someone who can check and balance Cao Cao, Huang Zhong."

Zhuge Xuan smiled and nodded, saying: "This is exactly what I want to say. If Duke Xuande can reach a tacit understanding with General Huang Zhonglang, we can prevent Cao Cao from occupying Yu and Xu states."

Liu Bei stood up directly and went to find Huang Zhong.

Zhuge Xuan quickly reached out to stop him and said, "Mr. Xuande, can you think of a good word?"

Liu Bei couldn't wait, and then he reacted and said: "What is Zhuge Gong's countermeasure?"

Zhuge Xuan obviously had an idea for a long time, and said: "Xuan De Gong was originally a Xuzhou Mu, and now the north of Xiapi is in the hands of Qingzhou Mu Sima Shijun. It should not be a problem for Xuande Gong to take over. And Xuande Gong went north from Guangling County , although Guangling County is in the hands of Sun Ce, but judging from the current situation, Sun Ce will definitely not fight with Xuande Gong before Dong is destroyed. After all, Xiapi is the only one left."

Liu Bei, who was already a lost dog, listened to Zhuge Xuan's analysis. His heart was greatly shaken, and his face was full of excitement. He stepped forward and grabbed Zhuge Xuan's wrist and said: "Mr. Zhuge, please stay and lend a helping hand." !”

Zhuge Xuan smiled slightly and said: "I am too old to be reused. My nephew is ten times better than me. Mr. Xuande must not forget him."

Seeing that Zhuge Xuan was still timid, Liu Bei sighed inwardly and had to say: "Bei has made a note, and I will definitely pay him a visit someday."

Zhuge Xuan nodded and said: "Mr.

Liu Bei raised his hand solemnly, and then hurriedly went to find Huang Zhong.

Zhuge Xuan then came out, thundering constantly above his head, as if a heavy rain was brewing.

He looked at Liu Bei's back, let out a long sigh, and said: "It's really more lively than the late Qin Dynasty, but I don't know if Cao Cao is Xiang Yu, Taizu, or the likes of Qi and Jin..."

At the same time, Cao Cao stood in the drizzle, quietly looking at the head of Xiapi City.

"Is Fengxiao still at Pinghuguan?" After a long while, Cao Cao said indifferently. Cao Cao didn't know whether it was right or wrong to let Liu Bei go. At this time, he missed Guo Jia very much.

Cao Hong stepped forward and said, "We are on our way here. It is estimated that we will have a few days left."

Cao Cao's face twitched slightly and he said, "Are you ready?"

Cao Hong immediately said: "Ready! But, general, it's raining."

Cao Cao's expression was as steely as he said: "I don't care for a day or two."

Cao Hong stopped talking, and his eyes were a little fiery.

If they can annihilate Dong Zhuo, it will be a great achievement. Their general may become a marquis!

At that time, they will also be rewarded based on their merits, promoted and made rich!

Outside the city of Xiapi, the government troops and the rebels all coincided with each other, and there were turbulent secrets and endless internal strife.

Liu Bei met Huang Zhong and persuaded Huang Zhong with high-sounding words and was able to divide his troops.

Guan Yu and Zhang Fei left quietly with their troops and horses, one heading north and the other heading south, as if they wanted to capture Xuzhou in their hands.

On the other side, Xun You confirmed Yuan Shao's withdrawal, and took Zhao Yun and others to Xiapi.

Guo Jia drank the strong medicinal wine, his face became paler, looked to the east, and said with a smile to Zhao Yun beside him: "Zilong, would you like a sip?"

Zhao Yun didn't know why, but people who had been with him for a few days liked to call him his cousin affectionately and ignored his official position.

This closeness seems to have originated from His Majesty in the palace?

Zhao Yun quickly calmed down his divergent thoughts, turned sideways and said, "Thank you, no need."

Guo Jia didn't really intend to let him drink. He touched the corner of his pale face and said with some sigh: "The world is changing, and it's another big change."

Zhao Yun said nothing, but he knew very well in his heart.

Once Dong Zhuo is destroyed, the situation in the Han Dynasty will change again. When the imperial court regains the two states, it will face a situation where a pack of wolves is waiting for them and a group of heroes are rising together.

This situation seems to be beneficial to the court, but in fact it is full of crises.

The most important point is that the court needs to invest more in governing Yu and Xu states.

The court, however, does not have the power now.

After years of implementation of the ‘New Deal’, the Han court reached its most critical and weakest moment.

Xun You walked out of the carriage at this time, stood on the carriage, looked up at the increasing drizzle, and said: "We won't be able to make it to Xiapi in a while, so find a place to take shelter from the rain."

"Yes." Zhao Yun responded.

Guo Jia looked back at Xun You. Regarding this Yingchuan fellow, the now prominent right servant She, one of the leaders of the 'Yingchuan Party', Guo Jia pondered for a moment and said, "Are you still determined to suppress Cao Mengde?"

Xun You didn't like Guo Jia, especially his bold and indifferent attitude. He said lightly: "If Cao Cao is loyal, who will be at odds with him?"

Guo Jia sneered and said: "The civil and military officials of the entire dynasty, except Liu Gong and Cao Mengde of the Grand Sima Mansion, are all Yingchuan Party members, right servants. Do you know that this is a way to bring disaster?"

Xun You put his hands behind his back and looked straight to the east, saying, "I am neither Wang Mang nor Huo Guang. I believe in state affairs and am loyal to Your Majesty. Where did the trouble come from?"

Seeing that Xun You couldn't listen, Guo Jia shook his head. Just as he was about to drink, he suddenly coughed violently. He hurriedly took out a handkerchief from his pocket and covered his mouth tightly, but he still coughed for a long time before he could stop it.

Guo Jia calmly wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, put the handkerchief in his arms, and continued drinking as if nothing had happened.

Xun You looked at him for a moment and said calmly: "Drinking is very harmful to your health. If you don't want to die early, drink less."

Guo Jia ignored him at all, coughed lightly and said, "After this battle, how do you plan to arrange Cao Mengde?"

Xun You held the carriage with one hand, looked at the ruined temple not far away, and said, "The imperial court has decided on this matter. You don't need to ask."

Guo Jia hugged the wine bottle and sighed silently in his heart.

I don't know what Cao Cao's path will be after his death.

The "Yingchuan Party"'s prejudice against Cao Cao was deeply rooted in their bones. If they stayed in the local area, the court would be constantly suspicious of him. When they returned to the court, the party would fight fiercely, which was not the way to survive.

Zhao Yun found a ruined temple, arranged for His Highness Liu Yu to enter, and arranged it himself to prevent any unexpected events.

Before he could make a round of inspection, a soldier suddenly ran over and said urgently: "I would like to report to General Zhonglang that the former Censor Liu Yao would like to see His Highness the Second Highness."

Zhao Yun didn't know anything about Liu Yao, so he waved his hand and said, "Ask Xun Pushe."

The soldiers took the order and ran to the ruined temple in the rain.

Liu Yu drove all the way and was drowsy when Xun You woke him up and said, "Your Highness, I would like to see Liu Yao, the imperial censor."

Liu Yu rubbed his eyes and said, "What should I call him?"

Xun You thought for a moment and said, "Don't worry about it, Your Highness. He is quite distant from His Highness."

Liu Yao and Liu Dai are brothers, and these brothers, going back further, are the descendants of King Liu Fei of Qi. In terms of blood relationship, they are worse than Liu Bei.

Liu Yu nodded dullly. In the past few years, many clan members from the Han clan have emerged, most of them from his grandfather's generation.

Not long after, Liu Yao, who was covered in rain, came in. When he saw Liu Yu, he saluted cleverly and said, "Liu Yao, please see His Highness the Second Highness."

Liu Yu nodded, thinking about Xun You's explanation, and asked, "What are you doing here?"

Liu Yao glanced around and said immediately: "Go back to your Highness, the ministers are here. The first is to impeach the rebellious Yuan Shao. The second is to ask for orders to go to Yangzhou to fight against the rebellion for the imperial court."

Liu Yu was stunned for a moment, then turned to look at Xun You beside him.

Xun You looked down upon Liu Yao very much. After being set up by Yuan Shao, he escaped without a trace. He was an incompetent person.

He pretended to be deep in thought and said: "There is a vacancy in Yangzhou as a pastor, do you want to be a Yangzhou pastor?"

During the reign of the late emperor, there were many clans with numerous state shepherds, governors, and prefects. Liu Yao came to seek an official position. Based on his past official positions, the lowest position was that of prefect, and the most suitable one was the shepherd of a state.

Liu Yao saw Xun You speaking so directly and said quickly: "I dare not. Fu is willing to fight for the country's thieves and has no intention of gaining power."

Xun You stared at him for a while and then said calmly: "You stay, the court will make its own decision regarding Yuan Shao."

When Liu Yao wanted to speak again, Xun You waved his hand and said, "Cao Cao doesn't have much food left. You can find a way to raise some."

Liu Yao was holding back all his words. When he heard Xun You's words, he was so stunned that he couldn't say a word.

Where can I get food in this cold winter?

Xun You ignored Liu Yao, helped Liu Yu up, and arranged for him to go to bed.

Early the next morning.

Instead of stopping, the rain got heavier and heavier, mixed with snowflakes.

With no way to attack the city, Cao Cao held another banquet. He took special care of the brave generals from all walks of life, toasting them personally and talking to them.

Liu Bei pretended to be polite to him, and then talked to Sun Ce calmly.

"Bo Fu, Guangling County, what's going on now?" Liu Bei said with a smile while drinking.

Sun Ce was alert for a moment, but said calmly: "Xuan De Gong, after the last general has defeated Lu Bu, he will station three thousand troops in Guangling to suppress the bandits."

Guangling County is a county in Xuzhou, and Liu Bei is the pastor of Xuzhou. Liu Bei's question obviously means something.

Liu Bei pretended to sigh, and then said with a smile: "Bo Fu is brave. Although I am a state shepherd, I can't protect the country and the people. I am really ashamed to say it."

Sun Ce was a little confused about Liu Bei's intention. He glanced at Cao Cao, who was holding Huang Gai and Cheng Pu drinking, and said: "Xuan De Gong is humble. If Xuande Gong had not fought with Lu Bu tiredly, how could the general have defeated him."

Liu Bei waved his hands in shame and said: "That's all. After Dong is destroyed, I will send troops to Guangling to destroy the bandits, appease the people, and restore peace to Xuzhou."

Sun Ce still didn't understand Liu Bei's intentions.

Guangling was conquered by his father Sun Jian with his life, and it was connected to Wu County. How could such a large county be surrendered to it?

However, Liu Bei was the shepherd of Xuzhou and ruled Guangling County in a legitimate manner. However, Sun Ce was now dependent on others and had no official or position, so he could not compete with Liu Bei at all.

I was thinking that after this battle, I would go back to Guangling County directly, control Guangling County tightly, and not give Liu Bei a chance.

With his thoughts settled, Sun Ce turned sideways and said, "What Mr. Xuande said makes sense."

Liu Bei was just testing. Seeing that Sun Ce didn't have a tough attitude, he couldn't help but smile and said: "Bo Fu, come, let's drink."

Liu Bei did not force him. Sun Ce felt relieved, raised his glass and said, "Please, Mr. Xuande."

Although Cao Cao was wooing brave generals and counselors everywhere, his eyes fell on Liu Bei and Sun Ce from time to time. When he saw the two talking happily, his narrow eyes flashed with indifference.

In a small cave not far from Cao Cao's camp, Huangfu Jianchang and others were hiding inside.

Jia Xu stood at the entrance of the cave, looking at the sleet and snow, and said, "God is really helping the court."

Huangfu Jianchang was very proud and said: "No hurry, no rush, I will send you to Cao Cao in two days."

Jia Xu didn't even look back. He looked at the low-lying Xiapi and said softly: "I don't know how many people will be killed or injured in this flood. Can you really do it?"

Huangfu Jianchang had already made sufficient preparations to intercept the surrounding confluence and cut through the lake. With the current rain and snow, it is conceivable that once the embankment breaks and the water floods Xiapi, although Xiapi City can be broken easily, it will be affected. Ordinary people don’t know how many there will be.

Huangfu Jian gave a long sneer and said, "You actually care about ordinary people?"

Jia Xu turned to the direction of Cao Cao's camp and said, "What I'm curious about now is that Cao Cao doesn't know your preparations. He has been attacking continuously in the past two days. Does he have a plan to break the city?"

Huangfu Jian was startled for a moment, then he remembered Cao Cao, turned to look at Cheng Yu, and said, "Sir, did Cao Cao have a reply?"

Cheng Yu then walked up and said, "No. But his reply was very confident and determined, and he seemed to be prepared. Why don't we send Jia Xu over now, lest our plans conflict with each other and spoil the big thing."

(End of this chapter)